Muffler Removal??

[Sparky10]

I am thinking about getting the "Muffler Elimination Kit" from Geno's and I was wondering if it was really worth it. Does it give any improvements in power or cooler EGT's? Does it make the exhaust noise very loud?



I have seen the referals to Issue 13, page 40 of the TDR, but not having that issue available to me doesn't do any good or help!



My truck is still rather stock and I am slowly adding things to it as permission is granted from the "Official Paymaster"



Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Scott

 

[EMDDIESEL]

You will definatley see a drop in EGT's and quicker turbo spool up. Not as much as with a 4" exhaust, but still better then stock. Most importantly, the sound is great.

 

[nps]

Sparky 10,



I had my muffler/resonator removed and love the sound. Ditto for EMD's perf improvements.



You can go with Geno's kit and leave the resonator on, or get rid of them both by using a piece of straight 3" pipe about 5 feet long. Your local muffler shop can cut the pipe and flare both ends.



It has been recommended to weld all the joints (versus clamping) A muffler shop can do the whole job in less than 30 minutes and should be under $100 including the pipe.



Neil

 

[Sparky10]

Thanks for the info guys.



Does it make the exhaust noise real loud or more of a mellow sound. I don't want something that sounds like a teenagers hotrod! Had enough of that with my own kid and my wife thinks I'm crazy enough! I still want her to ride with me in it!



Also is it enough of a performace boost to warrent doing it?



Sorry about all the questions!

Thanks, Scott

 

[LSMITH]

Sparky, I saw very little if any drop in EGT and no performance difference when I got the ME kit. I had guages before and after, and could see no difference. It is louder, that is all the difference I noticed.

 

[Sean Flanagan]

Sparky,

I noticed a definite difference in EGT. Removing it gave me about 5 or 10 more seconds more of full power before the EGT goes past 1300. (Pulling the trailer uphill 8-11,000ft altitude). If I turn off my PowerMax and run just with the VA box, it tops out at a comfortable 1200f.



The only other advantage is: It's Louder

The only down side is: It's Louder.

 

[Sky]

I really like the sound of those straight pipes. Sounds like a big rig! I just got to get the "cahoona's" to cut off my muffler.

 

[nps]

Sparky,



Not as loud as a gasser with no muffler. The best description is an unmuffled dump truck passing by - you know it is there but the sound is not deafening (nor annoying for most people anyway).



The way you drive it also controls the amount of noise - about 2000+ RPMs it starts to nicely cackle but with easy driving it is not that much louder. With the windows up inside the cab the difference is not that much louder. If you like turbo noise, alot comes out of the tailpipe but doesn't come into the cab - even with windows down. Deceleration next to a barrier wall is music to the ears.



I also saw about a . 5MPG improvement. Justify it to the SO based on MPG, EGT's and a way to punish obnoxious neighbors.



LSMITH's results could be because the ME kit leaves on the resonator - I don't know how much backpressure it creates.



I lost both the muffler and resonator - still have them behind the shed if I wanted to put them back on (which won't happen in my lifetime). The muffler shop used a chain cutter (a bigger version of a pipe cutter used on copper plumbing) to make clean cuts before the res and just after the muffler. To put it back on all I need to do is make two cuts in the straight pipe and re-hang it.



Neil

 

[SLVRBLT]

Just Right!

Sparky-



nps described the noise etc. about as well as I've heard it. I went to an independent muffler shop and they removed the muffler and resonator, installed the 3" straight pipe, and welded the hanger on for $50. 00. Don't think I would have tackled it myself for that.



My muffler and resonator are hanging in the rafters of my shop and I haven't heard a sound out of them since I put them up there. Give it a try, if you don't like it, you can always put it back on, or another high flow muffler.



Dave

 

[MCummings]

The Exhaust is not like a hot-rod car.

My Friend has a '79 Chevy 3/4ton with a 350 and True-Dual exhaust w/glasspacks. Sounds Like Firecrackers going off when he Floors it.



The Cummins is NOT so!

The Exhaust note is very smooth above 2K RPMs and below 2K RPMs the exhaust note is just a little "bubbly".

My Mom says it sounds like "farts" between 1K-1. 3K RPMs (full-Throttle)



The Exhaust is so smooth in the cab, that there is only a "drone" not a hint of "popping" My Truck's drone was Very bad at 70-75MPH after about 2. 5K miles, the Drone has Dissapeared inside the cab, BUT, Roll down the Windows, and Turn the Radio off, and You can hear the exhaust, and can really tell when you are sitting in the trucks power band. (around 2,100-2,400 RPM) Sounds like BWAAAAAA, When you lift off the throttle with boost,, PHHHUERR-ER-ER-ER-ER (turbo spooling down)

Then if your lucky to listen to the Exhaust (tailpipe) AFTER shut-down, You can Hear the Turbo spool Down, Sounds like a Jet engine turning off.

At idle, with the engine, Oil, and turbo, etc warmed up (aka after driving for 5 minutes) The Exhaust has a really cool Turbo Wharble sound. You can hear the Turbo whistle in between the Truck running,,, Sounds like this,, W-H-I-R-R-R-R-R (Each dash represents the engine sound)



I like my straight pipe(see sig).



MerrickNJr

 

[JMoglia]

TAKE IT OFF !!!! just run resinator you will be very happy,if you want to be happier yet run dual 4'' stacks with resinator in front of them,the stock resinator on my 981/2 has 3'' inlet and 4'' outlet it was perfect,I put it up next to transmission and put on a 4x4x4 wye on it and away I went up both sides it sounds awesome.



Good luck ya'll, Joe Moglia

 

[BHayes]

To remove or not to remove!

Sparky, just wanted to let you know that I removed my muffle and resonator right after I bought my truck. I like it, but I think it is a little loud on the inside with the windows up. With the windows down I think you'll love it (of course then you are wanting to hear it). I didn't take a DB reading before with the muffler on, but just out of curiosity I will take a reading with it off and windows up. It does resonate in the cab especially when pulling my camper and gets on the wifes nerves. Ride with someone that has done this then you'll know for sure.

 

[SteveH]

I had a custom shop take off my muffler, they wouldn't take the catalyc converter off (some people mistakenly call this the resonator but it has catalyst in it and therefore federally protected). I went with 3" straight pipe. Did not notice any difference in the EGT's or power. Did notice a little extra noise which is ok. The muffler shop only charged $69 and welded the hangers, welded the connections instead of using clamps, and used high temp paint to make it all look great.

Steve H

 

[nps]

Steve H -

... , they wouldn't take the catalyc converter off (some people mistakenly call this the resonator but it has catalyst in it and therefore federally protected).

Steve - no mistake. 12V motors have a converter - 24V motors have resonators. The 24V computer controls the emissions so the converter is not necessary.



Neil

 

[Sparky10]

WOW, Great info!

Thanks a bunch guys!!



Some of the sound descriptions where very entertaining to say the least

Really enjoyed the reading a lot! (he, he)



But seriously, I sure thanks you all for the input. Just waiting for that old tax refund check to get here so I can do something. I want gauges first and then see about the exhaust system. I'll either remove it or go with a flow thru system. I'll keep you all posted.



Thanks a lot again, Scott

 

[Sky]

Remove it first to see if you like, then you can always add on a muffler. When you find out let me know

 

[JMoglia]

I can honestly say with the resinator up beside the transmission and about 4'' below floorboard there is no drowning in cab with windows up or down, ofcourse the sounds are all comming from way above cab.